A RISK WORTH TAKING

Dan Porter loses most of his capital and his half-million-dollar salary in the death of the dot-coms. He is deeply shaken by 9/11, his children are strangers, and his wife has lost respect for him. Finally, rousing himself into action, he goes to Scotland and discovers what risks in life are worth taking. Robin Pilcher crafts a pleasant story with likable characters, and John Lee's performance brings humor and personality to each. Lee skips easily from Scots burr to East Enders argot, his energy infusing slow passages with some welcome intensity. In Pilcher's world, there are hardships, but nothing ever gets too messy, and by the end, things have sorted themselves out to suit almost everyone. John Lee's work makes A RISK WORTH TAKING especially worth a listen. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]